Advisers urged to strive for consensus

CPPCC National Committee wraps up annual session

As China embarks on a new journey for the next five years and beyond, political advisers should help achieve unity and build consensus, the nation's top political adviser said on Wednesday.

The Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference－an important channel for resolving conflicts and building consensus－should do more to promote policies, respond to people's doubts and call for unity, said Wang Yang, chairman of the CPPCC National Committee.

He made the remark in a speech to about 2,100 national political advisers at the closing meeting of the fourth session of the 13th CPPCC National Committee. President Xi Jinping, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, attended the meeting with other leaders.

At the meeting, the advisers approved a resolution on a work report of the Standing Committee of the CPPCC National Committee, a resolution on a report on the handling of political advisers' proposals since the previous annual session, a report on the examination of new proposals, and a political resolution on the fourth session of the 13th CPPCC National Committee.

Wang said political advisers pooled their wisdom during the weeklong event by conducting thorough discussions on key reports and the draft 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25).

He stressed that the nation's top political advisory body must always regard upholding and strengthening the CPC's leadership as its fundamental political principle and responsibility in order to consolidate and expand the mass foundation for the Party's governance.

Wang called on all members to use the Party's innovative theory to promote political unity and cooperation, and to achieve common progress and unity in action.

"Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is the guiding ideology that the Party and the country must adhere to for a long time," he said.

"Entering a new stage of development, it's urgently needed to bring people closer to each other and forge stronger consensus."

Wang called for more innovative methods from political advisers to contact people from different walks of life, including the lecture tours given by members on major Party and State affairs, in order to pool concerted efforts and wisdom.

Pan Xinyang, a political adviser from Taiwan, said he will listen to the opinions and ideas of Taiwan compatriots more often and make corresponding suggestions to the government.

Kenneth Fok Kai-kong, a political adviser from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, said this year will also be a significant year for the SAR and it's important to ensure the city is administered by patriots. "There will be much work to be done, but I'm confident Hong Kong will resume its vibrancy," he said.

Mo Jingxi contributed to this story.